What led to the establishment of Israel in 1948?

The establishment of Israel in 1948 was primarily due to the Zionist movement, British policies, and the aftermath of the Holocaust.

The Zionist movement, which began in the late 19th century, played a crucial role in the establishment of Israel. Zionism was a political movement advocating for the re-establishment of a Jewish homeland in the territory defined as the historic Land of Israel. The movement gained momentum in the early 20th century, particularly after the Balfour Declaration in 1917, in which the British government expressed support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine.

British policies in Palestine also significantly contributed to the creation of Israel. After the First World War, Britain took control of Palestine under a League of Nations mandate. The British government attempted to balance the aspirations of both Jewish and Arab populations, but this often led to conflict. The 1939 White Paper, which limited Jewish immigration and land purchases, was particularly controversial. After the Second World War, Britain found it increasingly difficult to maintain control over Palestine and referred the issue to the United Nations in 1947.

The aftermath of the Holocaust also played a significant role in the establishment of Israel. The genocide of six million Jews during the Second World War led to increased international sympathy for the Jewish people and their aspirations for a homeland. The plight of Jewish Displaced Persons (DPs) in Europe, who had survived the Holocaust but had no homes to return to, further intensified calls for a Jewish state.

The United Nations proposed a partition plan in 1947, which recommended the division of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem under international administration. Despite Arab rejection of the plan, the Jewish Agency for Palestine accepted it. On 14 May 1948, the day the British Mandate over Palestine expired, the Jewish People's Council declared the establishment of the State of Israel. The following day, neighbouring Arab states launched a military intervention, marking the start of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Despite initial setbacks, Israel managed to secure its existence and expand its territory. The establishment of Israel in 1948 marked a significant turning point in the history of the Middle East, with repercussions that continue to be felt today.